Dear Sir

This will inform you of Capt Wick[e]s & myself being chased in here this day by a 74 Gun ship who we fell in with yesterday morning of[f] Ushant, Johnston was in company the first of the Chase, but altred his course & Left us where he will get in I know not, but I imagine he will endeavour to beat down the Channel & get into Nantes or Bordeaux, we had been through the Irish Channel & between the Islands of Scilley & the Lands End of England, & Stretching over to Ushant fell in with this Ship; Capt Wicks only escaped by throwing all his guns overboard and sawing three of his beams in two, he had I suppase a Thousand shot fired at him, but very fortunately none struck him; in our Rout we took 18 prizes, 8 of which we sent forward for any port they could make in France or Spain, 7 we Sunk & I we gave the prisoners & two Smugglers we gave them their Vessells again.

My Little vessell is torn all to peices, if She goes out again from here she must have new Mast Bowsprit &c, however I hope they will never think of fitting her out again, as she will be only a pick pocket to them, as she is by no means fitt for the business, I have Suffer'd a great Deal in her this Cruize, have been constantly under water as we have had bad weather. We are Received by Governor and all the Officers of this part with open arms and every Service offer'd us.

Amongst our Prizes sent forward is a Jamaica Ship a Norwayman & a Wheat Vessell very valuable. If you can be of any Service to me in getting another Vessell I hope you will use your Interest. Pray write & Let me know if you have any news from America. I am Dr Sir [&c.]